Without a camera.

We went out tonight in NYC without our camera and have been regretting it all evening! So you'll need to just take our word for all that we saw...

We headed first to Time Square from our hotel, with a pit-stop for dinner at Sbarros (pizza and salad, etc). Brecken had told us to go to Rockafella Centre if we went nowhere else, so we headed there next, and saw the fabulous Christmas tree, plus a long row of beautiful Christmas angels in lights, as well as the outdoor skating rink there. Before reaching there though, we walked past some piles of GIANT Christmas balls in a mound in front of one of the buildings. Each ball was taller than us I think. (It was about now that we regretted the absence of our cameras... )

After spending some time at the Rockafella centre, we entered the fabulous St Patrick's Cathedral that was nearby. It was so strange to us that the tourists were welcome - to gawk, take photos or video, light candles or not, buy something at one of the two gift shops, or just idle about. We toured up one side aisle and down the other, noting at least a dozen artists making sketches of the various naves etc. along the way, as well as several people who appeared to be homeless - surrounded by some luggage or belongings - and asleep while sitting on the benches. I could try to describe it all to you, but if you visit here you will see some photos for yourself. (Since we didn't have our camera with us.) It was impressive. I would love to go back during the daytime if we can, to see the effect of the daylight streaming through all of the beautiful stain glass windows.

Not far further along the road was a building decorated all over its facing for several stories up, with giant, lighted snow-flakes. In its windows was also an animated Christmas story, with people moving along in line, reading the story and enjoying the display. When I realized that the store was Saks on Fifth Avenue (!!) we went in for a quick peek. Things were expensive, but very elegant, and the Christmas decorations inside were so elegant! You can see on the photos how lovely it was..... oh wait.. maybe not, sorry :P

We wandered along, looking at some of the other stores on The Avenue, and then all of the ENORMOUS billboards on Time Square - although, Dad would probably describe our progress more as galloping :) - I was cold :) After that, we met Will Smith, saw a spaceship land on top Macys, and were invited onto the Fox News Station, to give our views about politics in the USA. (I knew that it was a good idea to be ready for that :) If only we'd had a camera!

Tomorrow we'll take one out with us :)

I haven't even told you yet about our wonderful day yesterday with Brecken and Justin and Reuben and Simeon. Or that the Bishop and his wife where they go to church, are the two main (with dark hair) characters in the temple film. Or that we saw Justin's film, went to church in the building where the NYC temple is located, had a wonderful evening at a pot-luck dinner and choir practice for 30 at the home of one of the ward members, listened to some wonderful singers there - at least one from the NYC Met Opera, travelled by bus and on the subway, and stayed up until after 1 am, talking about all sorts of things with our wonderful hosts. But I'll have to tell you about all of that tomorrow. because right now I need to head to bed. Big day :)

I hope this makes sense. I'm really rather tired.

I love you all!

Does anyone have any news of our missing boys? Last seen heading to Idaho? (Please feel free to hassle/harass them into writing something!

xoxooxxoxoxoxoxoxooxo

(Tomorrow I am going to find a Book Store!! :)